Acura RL Recall 13V092000

Inadvertent Application of the Brakes

(RepairPal Expert Overview)

Our Quick Take:

The Vehicle Stability Assist system may unexpectedly apply the brakes, causing the vehicle to slow without warning.

What Should You Do?

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified beginning April 12, 2013. If you are experiencing problems with the braking system, or you don't receive recall notification and you feel you should have, please contact your Honda/Acura dealer. They may ask for your vehicle identification number (VIN), so please have it handy when you call. The Honda/Acura recall numbers are S87, S88, and S89.

Summary:

The Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system is designed to help keep the vehicle from skidding if the driver tries to round a corner too quickly. This is achieved by applying the brake at one or more wheels as necessary. During the manufacturing process an electrical capacitor in the VSA control module may have been damaged. This can cause intermittent minor application of the brakes or if the driver were to apply the brakes while the VSA is malfunctioning, the vehicle may come to an abrupt stop. Additionally, due to a loose electrical ground connection, on certain 2005 Pilots the VSA system may unexpectedly apply partial brake force without illumination of the brake lights. Sudden inadvertent braking, especially without illumination of the brake lights, may increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will install a partial wiring harness containing a capacitor for the VSA system, the affected Pilots models will have their ground connection tightened.

Honda is recalling certain model year 2005 Pilot vehicles manufactured July 29, 2004, through August 29, 2005; model year 2005-2006 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 16, 2004, through September 22, 2005; and model year 2005 Acura RL vehicles manufactured March 1, 2004, through June 29, 2005. An electrical capacitor may have been damaged during the manufacturing of the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) control module causing intermittent, automatic, minor brake application. However, if the driver applies the brakes while the VSA is malfunctioning, the vehicle may come to an abrupt stop. Additionally, due to a loose ground connection, certain model year 2005 Pilots have a VSA system that may apply partial brake force, without the illumination of the brake lights, whether or not the driver is using the brakes.

Consequence:

Sudden inadvertent braking, especially without illumination of the brake lights, may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy:

Owners will be notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a dealer of their respective brand. The dealer will install a partial wiring harness containing a capacitor for the VSA modulator, free of charge. The affected model year 2005 Pilots will have their ground connection tightened. The recall is expected to begin on, or about, April 12, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Notes:

Honda's recall campaign numbers are S87, S88, and S89. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Recall data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration